Happiness journey.

I read something a few days ago from one of my favorite people on Instagram @em_carey and this is what she said:

“So I have a theory. My theory is that whatever compliment we most like hearing about ourselves, is the thing we should become. I think that everybody has a favourite compliment, not necessarily one that we like giving but one that we like receiving. We all have that one thing that makes us smile and light up inside when someone points it out.
Today someone gave me my favourite compliment for the first time in a really, really long time. It’s something I used to hear on a daily basis and was always the first thing people would point out about me, but it wasn’t until someone said it to me today that I realised I don’t really hear it anymore.

The kindest, most beautiful man (one of my doctors) said ‘You always have the most amazing energy and happiness. You can make people happy just by being around them. I feel like you should come into my sessions just so my patients can feel your energy and get some for themselves’. BEST. COMPLIMENT. EVER.

See for me, someone pointing out that my happiness is contagious is the best thing someone could ever say to me. The reason why is pretty obvious… After my accident, my biggest concern wasn’t that I would never feel my legs again, it was that I would never feel happiness again. I genuinely thought that there was no possible way for me to be happy and I accepted that it was an emotion I would go the rest of my life without feeling.

Fast forward to the last few months of last year (when this photo was taken) and I had found a happiness that was greater than anything I had experienced before. It was so incredible I just wanted everyone to feel it. That’s when I decided – I want to be so happy that every person who crosses my path can’t help but be happy too. That’s who I was in this photo and that’s who I will always strive to be.

I guess the reason we love hearing someone acknowledge a certain thing so much, is because we are always unconsciously striving to become it. We love when people notice it because it shows us that we are on the right track to becoming who we really want to be.

So ask yourself… what compliment lights you up? What do you think it’s trying to tell you? Who do you think you are you meant to become?”

I love this little excerpt because the greatest compliment I enjoy receiving is the same thing as Emma. I remember back in 2014, at the beginning of my happiness journey (it was January 24th to be exact) I was texting with one of my friends, Cristian, and he wrote me saying, “It’s impressive how positive you are.” This is one of the first times someone who wasn’t apart of my every day life noticed a distinct change in myself. And what made Cristian’s compliment even better, he sent me that message less than one month into my journey. And it’s a message I continually think back on, even now, over 3 years later. And it’s still my favorite compliment to receive to this day. When anybody comments on my energy, or my happiness, or positivity it’s better than any other compliment I could receive.

This whole thing got me reflecting on my own happiness journey and how far I’ve personally come over the last almost 4 years. Already in a reminiscing mood, Tal texted me saying she got a book on positivity and was gonna read it and try to start being a more happy positive person. THAT got me SO excited and got me really inspired. I replied to Tal with a pretty long message basically just giving her my advice about starting a happiness journey. Which inspired me to write this post. I just wanna talk about my own thoughts, experiences, and the tips and tricks I use to create a more happy lifestyle.

The first step is to make a decision. Have a little chit-chat with yourself and actually decided YOU want to make a CHANGE. This can be difficult because it forces you to look in the mirror and get real with yourself. I am a firm believer and I do not care what anybody says, your happiness 100% lies in your own hands. You are painting your own life. YOU are in control. So if you are unhappy with yourself or any particular part of your life then there is nobody else at fault except you. And realizing that can be a hard pill to swallow.

The next step is taking action. And it’s going to be hard at first, because it’s a lifestyle change. And any life style change is challenge. You are going to have to learn and retrain your mentality and your thinking processes. And I’ll be the first to tell you, it’s not easy. But you just have to get over that initial hump. I will be the first to say, being negative in any situation is always the easier solution, but it is definitely not the most rewarding. It is going to be a challenge EVERY SINGLE DAY. But it’s a choice. And the choice is so so worth it. Once you get used to your new mindset every aspect of your life starts changing and it’s incredible.

And the final step is continuing to make that decision every day, in every situation. There are going to be days and times when you fail. And that’s okay, we’re not perfect, we’re human. But you choose to get back up every time you get knocked down. And when you learn to do that, when getting back up begins to become second nature, that’s when the change comes.

Starting my own happiness journey is hands down the best thing I have ever done in my life. And I call it a journey, even to this day, because it is still a daily struggle. Looking back at the past 3 years, there has been at least one thing that sticks out each year that really challenges me and pushes my buttons hard-core. But I fight through every single one of those situations and I come out stronger and happier because of it. And I wouldn’t give up my happiness and positivity for anything in the world.